Meath 2-05 Kildare 1-11

Kildare laid the foundations for their victory in the Leinster LGFA Minor ‘A’ Final with a powerhouse performance in the first half of this final played in Bray Emmetts GAA on Sunday afternoon. 

Using the wind advantage to full effect they pressed the Meath girls from the off scoring a free from Erin Healy in under minute. Meath broke the siege and playing fast flowing football worked the ball up to earn a free which was duly slotted over by sharpshooter Poppy Byrne after 4 minutes. The pace was frantic and as Kildare attacked, they were turned over deep in Meath’s defence and the ball was worked up the field by Kerrie Cole and Orlaith Reilly into the hands of Poppy Byrne who unleashed a bullet to the top right-hand corner of the net. Meath battled hard and good runs from the industrious Anna Moyles and Sarah O’Gorman posed a threat to Kildare’s back line. Kildare’s defence stood strong and punished misplaced passes with quick turnover to attack at pace. A second Kildare free was awarded and Erin Healy duly obliged, splitting the posts again on 8 mins. She was on target with a free again on 12 minutes to punish Meath again. It was at this point Kildare started to gain control and points from play followed by Aoife Murnane and Caoimhe Egan on 15 and 20 mins respectively. As Meath struggled to get the ball out from their own kickout, barely a minute later the green flag was raised as a turned over kickout ended up in the hands of Ruth Dillon who made no mistake. The resulting kick out was again turned over and as keeper Gráinne Ní Laoire scrambled back into goal the effort from Eimear Behan could have dropped into the net but went above the cross bar. Kildare leading by 5 points and seemed to be in control. Meath worked the ball out and Kerrie Cole got on the end of a move to point on 23 minutes. Kildare pointed another free from the boot of Erin Healy on 25 minutes as Freya Healy joined the fray. Her introduction was telling as she was a constant thorn in the side of the Meath defence and Kildare tagged on 2 more points from Ruth Dillon and Abi Whelan on 26 mins and 32 mins.

Referee Sinead McHugh blew for half time with the score at Meath 1-02 Kildare 1-09

As the second half commenced the feeling was Meath would have to ensure no mistakes were made if they were to make inroads on the Kildare lead but barely a minute into the half, Kildare capitalised on a Meath mistake and Freya Healy pointed from a free to extend Kildare’s lead. Eimear Behan was yellow carded 3 minutes into the second half and then came a period of backs to the wall defending for Kildare as Meath increased the intensity. Kildare managed to hold out without conceding a score and work the ball out and score another point on 40 minutes from Ruth Dillon, their last of the game. Kildare defended for all their worth but Meath slowly worked themselves back into the game, a well worked point from Lauren Woods 51 minutes seemed to spur the team on. Meath again attacked and were rewarded with a free on 53 minutes and Poppy Byrne stepped up to take it. She duly fired it to the net and hopes were raised of a chance for a Meath revival. Another point followed from play by Anna Moyles on the hour and Meath pressed hard for more scores. Lauren Woods pointed from play 3 minutes into added time but Kildare held out to complete 3 in row, a magnificent achievement.

Kildare were the better side for most of the game and Meath showed snatches of good football but ultimately Kildare’s scoring blitz in the first half proved too much for Meath to reel in.

Player of the match was awarded to Kildare’s midfielder Aisling Irhue who seemed to cover every blade of grass on the pitch and was always a willing runner and provider for the Kildare forwards.

Meath Team and scorers: Gráinne Nì Laoire, Anna Gardiner, Molly Canny, Ronnique Kato, Isabel Thorp, Emma Lynch, Elizabeth Comerford, Kerrie Cole (0-1), Neasa McDermott, Anna Moyles (0-1), Emily Morgan, Sarah O'Gorman, Lauren Woods (0-1), Orlaith Reilly, Poppy Byrne (2-2, 1-1f)

Subs: Niamh McGuinness for Morgan 25 mins, Muireann Nelson for McDermott 50 mins

Unused subs: Jessica O'Neill, Robyn Larkin, Sarah Duffy, Cliodhna Smith, Gracie Grehan, Keva McTigue, Brodie Kelly, Chloe Caffrey, Julia Collins, Grace Summerville, Ciara Flaherty, Shauna Fox, Emma O'Sullivan, 

Kildare Team and scorers: Sophia Knightly (c), Casey Noone, Katie Harney, Maisie Molloy, Julie Brannigan, Laura Dunlea, Hanna Murphy, Erin Healy (0-4f), Aisling Irhue, Aoife Murnane (0-1), Eimear Behan (0-1), Abi Whelan (0-1), Ruth Dillon (1-2), Caoimhe Egan (0-1), Kate Kealy

Subs: Freya Healy (0-1f) for Kealy 22 mins, Niamh Kelly for Molloy 43 mins. Amy Tyrell for Egan 59 mins

Unused Subs: Lily Mularkey , Ella Murphy, Emma Earls, Beibhinn Hughes, Zara Hurley, Leah Tyrell, Saoirse Mahon, Laura Jane Kaye, Tara Rafferty, Ailbhe Hennessey, Megan Alcock, Lyla Byrne, 

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